I am considering to transfer to Columbia AFTER my junior year… the website states that “Candidates with more than four semesters of college coursework elsewhere are not encouraged to apply. Columbia’s academic requirements and institutional policies make completion of all graduation requirements in a reasonable and timely fashion unlikely.” I am not sure if unlikely means impossible?
Do you think they ever accept transfer candidate in junior standing? (I am aware that I will spend one more year if admitted, which I feel ok with it.)
What university are you currently at?
What is your GPA (presumably unweighted since we are talking about university GPA)?
If you are going to complete your junior year where you are, with a GPA that is high enough to make transferring even remotely possible, then why not complete your bachelor’s degree where you are, and then apply to a master’s program at Columbia?
@DadTwoGirls I am currently in a T20 university with GPA 3.8.
I know I will regret on things I didn’t do, and have Columbia as my Alma Mater (undergraduate school I graduate from) is my goal since high school. I am only interested in the Columbia College, which does not offer graduate degree. But I am not sure if they ever accept students transferring after junior year.
If you want to apply to transfer into Columbia nobody here will stop you…but realistically I’d recommend finish where you are. In any event you need to understand that any transfer application to Columbia would be real longshot so be mentally prepared to stay at your college. Here are a few comments:
–Columbia accepts under 10% of transfer applicants overall. https://undergrad.admissions.columbia.edu/apply/transfer
–As you noted Columbia specifically discourages applicants with more than 4 semesters of credit.
–It would be incredibly difficult to finish the courses in your major and complete Columbia’s extensive core curriculum without adding significant time and cost to your undergrad degree.
– You are already at a strong college. (Wash U?).
–You have not shown a compelling reason why Columbia could benefit you more than the school you are currently at (wanting to attend Columbia since HS is not one).
–You are doing very well and have just one more year left at your current college. Why change something that is working well? The grass is not always greener on the other side. Transferring can be very difficult. You will be thrown into a situation where your peers are already comfortable with the school’s academic routines, expectations etc., where they have established friendships, are entrenched in meaningful activities etc. and you will have to find you way.
–If you want to consider Columbia for grad school (It won’t be Columbia College but it will be Columbia University) that is always an option. FWIW my D went to grad school there and had a great experience.
After you complete your junior year at you current university, how many additional years can you afford to study at Columbia without taking on any debt?
I have a bachelor’s degree from one university and a master’s from a different university. I have always thought that I have two Alma Mater’s, although I am not sure that it matters what you call it.
I do not understand the reason to study for five years and get one bachelor’s degree, when you could study for five years and get one bachelor’s degree (from a top 20 university!) and one master’s degree. One of the things that I really liked about studying for a master’s was that every class was in my major (a major I liked) or a closely related field.
However, as @happy1 says if you apply no one here will stop you.
Columbia does accept transfers with Junior standing. I’ve never heard of anyone being accepted with senior standing. So if you go over the 4 semester credit limit, it is unlikely that Columbia College will accept you.
You should also look into the 3-2 program at Columbia/SEAS. Would allow you to get two bachelors degrees.